Developing apparatus for photographic plates.



No. 799,571. PATENTED SEPT. 12, 1905. J. D. LYON.- DBVBLOPING APPARATUSFOR PHOTOGRAPHIG PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1903.

6 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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DEVELOPING APPARATU8 FOP. PHOTOGRAPHIG PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30,1903.

6 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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PATENTED SEPT. 12, 1905.

J. D. LYON, DEVELOPING APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIG PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1903.

6 SHEETS-8HEBT 3.

No. 799,571. PATENTED SEPT. 12, 1905.

J. D. LYON. DEVELOPING APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIG PLATES.

AP IUATION IIL D J NB 0,19 3.

PL E U s 0 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No. 799,571. PATBNTED SEPT. 12, 1905. J. D. LYON.

DEVELOPING APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIG PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1903.

6 SHEETBSKEET 5.

No. 799,571. PATBNTED SEPT. 12, 1905. J. D. LYON.

DEVELOPING APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIG PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30. 1903.

B SHEETS-SHEET 6.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JESSE D. LYON, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 12, 1905.

Application filed June 30,1903. SerialNo. 163,813.

To all 1071,0771, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JESSE D. LYON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inDeveloping Apparatus for Photographic Plates, of which the following isa specification, reference being had therein to the accompanyingdrawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is aView in side elevation of my improved apparatus for handling anddeveloping photographic plates. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 isa view showing the plate-holder inserted. Fig. 1 is an end elevationshowing the plate-holder inserted. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinalsection on the line V V of Fig. 2, showing the parts of the apparatus intheir initial position. Fig. 6 is a similar view showing theplate-holder partly lowered and in position for reversal, as indicatedin dotted lines. Fig. 7 is a partial similar view showing the plate andholder after having been reversed and further lowered into thedeveloping-bath. Fig. 8 is a similar sectional View showing the plateand holder again raised in position for discharging the plate into thefixing vessel, the fixing vessel having been inserted. Figs. 9 and 10are detail views in perspective of a portion of the plate-carrier in itsinitial and reversed positions, respectively, together with portions ofthe actuating mechanism. Fig. 11 is a perspective detail view of thereversible pivoted plate-holder detached. Fig. 12 is a verticalcross-sectional view indicated by the line XII XII of Fig. 5. Fig. 13 isa sectional detail View of one end of the plate-holder, showing thespring-controlled mechanism for releas ing it from pressure on theplate. Fig. 1 1 is a cross-sectional detail view of the detachableportion of the apparatus indicated by the line XIV XIV of Fig. 5 andshowing the operation of inserting one side of the plate in the one endof the carrier. Fig. 15 is a similar view showing the apparatus tippedin opposite direction, completing the inserting operation, the otherside of the plate having fallen into the holder. Fig. 16 is aperspective view, detached, of the removable portion of the apparatuscontaining the plate-holder and the pivoted carrier. Fig. 17 is avertical sectional view on the line XVII XVII of Fig. 12, showing therotating disk in engagement with the reversible carrier and in theposition corresponding to Fig 9. Fig. 18 is a similar view showing thecarrier in a position corresponding to Fig. 10.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for developingphotographic plates or negatives independent of a dark room; and itconsists of an inclosing box or receptacle adapted to receive anordinary camera plateholder and provided with aplate-carrier with meansfor removing the plate from the holder and into the carrier, securing ittherein, manipulating and immersing it in a developingbath, and removingit from the apparatus, together with means for effectually preventingentrance of light during the entire operation.

The present invention is similar in character to one for which I havefiled a previous application bearing the Serial No. 139,511, and theobjects in view in the present case have been to eliminate thelight-proof hood and to render it possible to take the plate from theordinary camera-holder and completely develop and fix it in onecontinuous operation.

Referring now to the drawings, 2 repre sents the main surrounding wallsof a portion of the apparatus containing at its lower portion adeveloping-bath chamber 8 and provided at the front portion with one ormore translucent ruby or other non-actinio panes 4.

5 is the movable portion of the device (shown in Fig. 16) provided withhooks or other suitable devices 6, adapted to interengage withcorresponding eyes or loops 7 of the frame 2, and also with flanges 8,adapted to project over the side of the wall 2, whereby the removablesection 5 may be swung upwardly in the direction of the arrow a in Fig.3 and bodily removed from the other portion of the apparatus. When thetwo portions are assembled together, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6,and 8, they provide a complete inclosing light-proof chamber, and asthus assembled these portions comprise the complete apparatus and areconveniently set upon a supporting-base 9, provided with sides guides10, between which the apparatus may slide back and forth, as will bereadily understood. The removable section 5 is provided at its upperportion with a sight-opening having a non-actinic pane 11 so arranged.that the in terior of the case may be observed. The sight-opening is solocated with relation to the pane 1 that the photographic plate may beobserved when lowered into the developingbath, as in Fig. 7, or whenraised to the posi The interior of the case may be readily illu-.

minatcd by light, either natural or artificial,

. entering through the pane 4 on the side opposite to the observer. Theouter portion of the section 5 is provided with a plate-holder receiverhavinga cavity and retaining flanges or sides 12, into which cavity isinserted an ordinary plate-holder 13, having the usual removable slides14 and adapted to contain the photographic plates 15. Each side of theholder, as is well understood, is provided with a spring 16 of asuitable form to hold the plate in position against the opposite edge ofthe holder, the plate being removed by compressing the spring,permitting it to fall toward the spring and out of the opposite groove,thus releasing such opposite edge, whereupon the entire plate readilyfalls out of the holder.

The section 5 containing the plate is provided with a plate receiver andcarrier in such position and location with reference to the plate-holderand provided with mechanism for the purpose, so that the spring 16 maybe depressed and the plate discharged into the receiver and carrier andby it thereafter manipulated through the ensuing steps of the operation.

17 is a rod pivotally mounted in the sides of the ease, to which rod issecured a coping or shield 18, adapted to close down over theupwardly-extending inner wall 19 of the developing-bath 3, and alsoprovided at each end with flanges 20, adapted to interfit with thecorresponding receiving-flanges 21. The light is thus out off from theoutside when case 5 is detached. This vessel is provided with flanges25, extending along its sides and ends, and is adapted to entirely iillthe space between the walls 19 and 23 and between the sides of the caseand when thus inserted fills the space and will efl'ectually cut off thelight from entering to the interior. The coping 18 is practicall y rigidand unyielding and forms a base to which are secured the bracket-arms 2626, to which at 27 27 are pivoted the end holdingarms 28 29, adapted toreceive the edges of the plate 15. These holders are U-shaped incrosssection, providing inwardly-disposed grooves 30, adapted to receivethe plate edges, and on one side are provided the inwardly-extendingfingers or flanges 31. In the normal position of the carrier, as in Fig.5, these lingers are on the side beyond the plate, so as to receive itwhen it is dropped into the receiver, as illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15.Each of the holding-arms is provided with backwardly-extending flangesor lugs 32, so that the pivotal bearing 27 is located beyond the planeof the plate, permitting it to be turned on said bearing in the holderaround said center, as indicated in Fig. 6. One of the holding-arms, as28, is merely pivoted to the bracket-arm 26, while bracket-arm 26 isprovided at its upper portion with an elongated bearing 33, in whichbearing the pin 34, to which the lug 32 of arm 29 is pivoted, may slide..ltigidly connected to arm 28 is a cross-bar 35, provided with terminalpins 36, extending through lugs 32, by which construction the carrier 29may slide outwardly, remaining parallel with the opposite carrier 28 onpin 34, while its alinement is maintained. The carrier 29 is normally vpressed inwardly by a spring 37, bearing against lug 32, as clearlyshown in Fig. 12, thus holding the carrier in binding position withrelation to the opposite arm 28, so as to always grip the edges of theplate. For the purpose of drawing arm 29 outwardly to permit the plateto fall into position I have provided a movable clevis-arm 38, looselyconnected at the base of bracket 26', as at 39, and engaging an outerflange 40 of pin 34.

A withdrawing-stem 41 is mounted in a bearing 42, secured to the side ofthe case 2,

said bearing having an inclined cam-face 43 at its outer end, while aturning button 44, secured at the outer end of stem 41, is provided witha pin or abutment 45, adapted to ride upon said cam-face and to causestem 41 to travel outwardly as the button 44 and the stem are rotated.l'n Fig. 13 this construction is fully illustrated, the button havingbeen turned so'that the abutment 45 is resting on the highest point ofthe cam, having by the connection with the elevis-arm 38 withdrawn thepin 34 against the pressure of the spring 37. Further turning movementof the button will cause it to be released from the cam, falling back tothe lowermost point, or the same eifect may be produced by reversing thebutton, whereby the arm 29 is caused to travel by spring 37 toward theedge of the plate, grasping it and forcing the opposite edges into thereceiving-groove of arm 28. The plate will then be firmly held duringthe manipulation of the apparatus unless released by again turning thebutton. The clevis 38 is provided with inwardly-projecting lugs 46 andan intervening slot 47, adapted to engage stem 41 when the carrier-armsare thrown up into receiving position, the stem 41 being provided on itsinner end with a button 48, by which the clevis-arm is engaged and maybe drawn out. The clevis-arm is also provided at its upper terminal withan inwardly-extending finger 49, which in the same position extends infront of the spring 16 of the plateholder and is adapted to bear againstand depress it when the clevis-arm 38 is drawn out.

50 is a cover-plate secured to a rod 51, pivoted in the upper portion ofthe sides of the case and provided on one side with the turning crank orhandle 52, so that it may be raised out of the way of the plate-carrier,as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5. This coverplate is provided withflanges 52 around its bottom and sides, adapted to interiit with thefirmly held by both arms.

edges of the coping 18, and with receiving flanges 53 in the sides ofthe section 5, as shown in Figs. 5, 14, and 15, so that when closed downin front of the plate-carrier, as in Fig. 5, the entire section 5 may bebodily removed and all light will be excluded from the plate. The innerslide having been removed from the plateholder, it is then held by theoperator in a horizontal position and tipped downwardly at the leftside, as shown in Fig. 14, the arm 29 having been retracted, by whichoperation the finger 49 draws back the spring 16, releasing pressure onthe edge of the plate 15, allowing it to fall downwardly against andupon the finger 31 of arm 28. This operation is facilitated by incliningthe section downwardly toward the left, as shown in Fig. 14. If theinclination of the section is then reversed, as in Fig. 15, the platewill slide downwardly upon the supporting fingers, causing the oppositeedges to drop out of the plate-holder and upon the corresponding fingerof the receiver 29. The stem 41 is now retracted by turning the button44, whereupon the arm 29 travels inwardly, gripping the edges of theplate and forcing it into the groove of the opposite arm 28, whereby itis The section 5 is now replaced and attached to the main casing 2, andthe shield 50 is turned upwardly, as shown in Fig. 6, and the supportingarms and framework of the plate-carriers with the plate are turneddownwardly to the position shown 7 in said figures. The turningoperation is performed by a crank-arm 54, secured to the outer end ofrod 17 at one end of the section 5. The crank-arm 54 is somewhatresilient, and the center of its handle 55 corresponds at all times tothe pivotal center 27, so that by turning the stem 17 by the crank theseparts will always maintain the same relative position and move in thesame are around the pivotal center 27. Pivotally mounted at a carrier 28is provided at its outer side with a pin 60, eccentrically located as tothe pivotal center 27, while the disk 57 is provided with a slot 61,normally in position to receive the pin 60 as the plate-carriers arethrown downwardly to the intermediate position of Fig. 6. During suchturning operation the resilient crank 54, being of fiat spring material,is normally pressed inwardly and may be held outwardly, so as to passthe outer end of the stem 58, and when located in register with it andreleased will press-the disk inwardly, so as to insure engagement byslot 61 with pin 60. If the slot is not in position to register with thepin, the disk may be turned to the right or the left by the crank 58 andwill travel inwardly over the pin, bringing the slot into register. Thecrank 58 is now turned around, approximately a half-rotation, to theposition indicated in Fig. 10, thus rotating the platecarrier and platearound to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. The purpose ofsuch operation is to bring the plate into proper position for immersioninto the developing-bath within the chamber 3. Further travel of thecarrier imparted by crank 54 then lowers the plate downwardly within thebath, as shown in Fig. 7, in which position it is allowed to remainuntil developed. It may be raised from time to time above the liquid andobserved through the sight-opening, so as to allow the light from pane 4to fall upon it, as already described. It may also be lowered into thedeveloping-bath as frequently as desired, 'and when the plate is finallydeveloped to the satisfaction of the operator it is ready for immersionin the fixing-bath. The apparatus is conveniently mounted so as to slideupon the supporting-base 9 of any convenient form, provided with theslides 10, between which the case may be moved outwardly beyond the edgeof the base 9, and it will thus be seen that whileresting upon the baseall light is shut off from the interior by thus covering the opening 22.WVhile the plate is still lowered into the developing-bath, theapparatus is moved outwardly, so as to bring the opening 22 beyond theedge of the base, when the fixing-bath chamber 24 is inserted upwardly,completely filling the opening 22, shutting off the light, and inposition to receive the developed plate. The plate is then raisedvertically above the fixing-bath, as shown in Fig. 8, and arm 29 isdrawn backwardly, as already described, releasing the plate, which thenfalls downwardly into the fixing-bath. The operation is now complete,andthe plate may be removed by removing the fixing-bath, or a number of theplates may be successively dropped into it until full. The operation maybe then repeated as often as desired, it being merely necessary toreverse the plate-holder to insert a new one. It will be understood thatthe plates may be removed from the apparatus and fixed in any othersuitable vessel or manner, and I do not desire to be limited to thisspecific portion as a necessary element of the invention, although Ihave found it very convenient in practice.

The apparatus will be found to be very convenient and eificient inoperation. lt is comprised within very small compass. It is simple,durable, and reliable in operation, and entirely dispenses with thenecessity of the usual dark room or any hand manipulation of the plate.

It will be understood that various changes or modifications may be madein the details of construction by the skilled mechanic, as

'lIO

by substituting various other means for holding, moving, and releasingthe plate; but all such changes are contemplated as within the videdwith a developing-bath; and unitary means for removing a plate from aplateholder, turning it, and immersing it in the bath, substantially asset forth.

3. A developing apparatus for photographic plates consisting of aninclosing light-proof case provided with adeveloping-bath and ob- 1servation-windows, a plate-holder receiver and means for removing theplate from the plate-holder and immersing it downwardly 1n the bath,substantially as set forth.

4. A developing apparatus for photographic plates consisting of aninclosing light-proof case provided with a developing-bath andobservation-windows, a plate-holder receiver, and means for removing theplate from the plate-holder and immersing it downwardly in the bath,with means for removing the plate from the apparatus, substantially asset forth.

- 5. A developing apparatus for photographic plates consisting of aninclosing light-proof case provided with a developing-bath, aplateholder receiver, and a pivoted frame provided with clamping-arms,with means for removing the plate from the plate-holder, substantiallyas set forth.

6. A developing apparatus for photographic plates consisting of an.inclosing light-proof case provided with a developing-bath, aplateholder receiver, a pivoted frame provided with clamping-arms, andmeans for removing the plate from the plate-holder, with means forreversing the plate, substantially as set forth.

7. A developing apparatus for photographic plates consisting of a caseprovided with a.

for adjusting one of the arms with relation to the other, substantiallyas set forth.

9. In adeveloping apparatus, a plate-carrier consisting ofoppositely-disposed arms, means for adjusting one of the arms withrelation to I the other, and means for pivotally reversing both of thearms, substantially as set forth.

10. In a developing apparatus, a plate-carrier consisting of a pivotedlight-shield provided with supporting-brackets, plate-holding armspivotally secured 'in such brackets, and means for adjusting one of thearms with relation to the other, substantially as set forth.

11. In a developing apparatus, a plate-carrier consisting of a pivotedlight-shield provided with supporting-brackets, plate-holding armspivotally secured in said brackets and means for adjusting one of theplate-carriers with relation to the other, with means for reversing bothof the carrier-arms on their bearings, substantially .as set forth.

12. In a-develo-ping apparatus, a plate-carrier consisting of a pivotedlight-shield provided with supporting-brackets, plate-holding armspivotally secured in said brackets and means for adjusting one of theplate-carriers with relation to the other, with means for engaging thespring of a plate-holder, substantially .as set forth.

13. In a developing apparatus, a plate-carrier consisting of a pivotedlight-shield provided with supporting-brackets, plate-holding armspivotally secured in such brackets and means for adjusting one of theplate-carriers with relation to the other, with means for engaging thespring of a plate-holder and means for protecting the plate from thelight, substantially as set forth.

14. In adeveloping apparatus, a detachable light-proof casing providedwith aplate-holder cavity a plate-carrier and means for removing theplate from the holder and securing it in the carrier, substantially asset forth.

15. .In a developing apparatus, a removable casing provided with aplate-holder cavity, a pivoted frame provided with a plate receiver andcarrier, and an adjustable light proof cover-plate, substantially as setforth.

16. In a developing apparatus, the combination of an inclosi-ng caseprovided with a developing-bath, a removable section provided with aplate-holder cavity, means for removing the plate from the holderand forimmersing it in the bath, and means for partially rotating the plate inits travel from the plateholder toward the developing-bath,substantially as set forth.

17. A developing apparatus for photographic plates consisting of a maincase provided with a developing-bath and a light-aperture; aremovablecasing provided with a plate-holder cavity, a plate-carrier, and alight-aperture; with means for incorporating said portionsso as to formone complete lightproof apparatus, substantially as set forth.

18. The combination of a main casing provided with a'developing-bath, alight-aperture, and means for turning the plate-carrier, with aremovable section provided with a plateholder cavity, a light-aperture,apivoted platecarrier, and a cover-plate, substantially as set forth.

19. The combination of a main casing provided with a developing-bath, alight-aperture and means for turning the plate-carrier; with a removablesection provided with a plateholder cavity, a lightaperture,a pivotedplatecarrier, means for manipulating the plate-carrier to remove a platefrom a holder thereinto, means for moving the plate-carrier,and meansfor protecting it from the light, substantially as set forth.

20. The combination of a main casing provided with a developing-bath,alight-aperture, and means for turning the plate-carrier, with aremovable section provided with a plateholder cavity, a light-aperture,apivoted platecarrier and a cover-plate; and a fixing-bath vessel adaptedto be inserted between the sections, substantially as set forth.

21. In a developing apparatus, a rotatable disk provided with a slot,adapted to engage the pin of a platecarrier, and means for turning thedisk, substantially as set forth.

22. In adeveloping apparatus, the combination of an inclosing caseprovided with a developing-bath, a removable section adapted to receivea plate-holder, and means for removing a plate from the holder anddipping it into and out of the bath, substantially as set forth.

23. A developing apparatus for photographic plates consisting of alight-proof casing provided with a developing-bath and aplate-holderreceiver, and means for removing in said tank, and aspring-actuated device mounted thereon arranged to normally pressinwardly under the spring action to grip against the edge of aphotograhic plate when mounted in the carrier.

26. The combination, in an apparatus of the class described, of a tankadapted to exclude actinic light, a carrier pivotally mounted withinsaid tank, and a spring-actuated device mounted thereon arranged tonormally press inwardly under the spring action to grip against the edgeof a photographic plate when mounted in the carrier,with means forretracting the spring-actuated device to release the plate.

In testimony whereofI afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JESSE D. LYON.

itnesses:

J AS. J. MOAFEE, CHAS. S. LEPLEY.

